Lucknow: With Diwali just around the corner, Uttar Pradesh has rolled out an intensive campaign across the state aimed at cracking down on food adulteration. Enforcement teams have been actively conducting raids and inspections to prevent the sale of contaminated food items.
This special Diwali campaign ran from October 8th to 17th. During this period, officials from the Food Safety and Drug Administration department carried out thorough checks and raids in various districts, taking decisive action against businesses selling adulterated or unsafe food products.
The Uttar Pradesh government stated that even after the campaign concluded, district-level teams are maintaining a heightened sense of vigilance to safeguard public health from contaminated food supplies.
Reflecting the spirit of Diwali, which symbolizes purity and well-being, the Yogi Adityanath government has committed to extending this anti-adulteration drive beyond the festival. This initiative aims to make Uttar Pradesh a state free from food adulteration.
Under the guidance of Roshan Jacob, Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration, Uttar Pradesh, the statewide campaign saw a significant number of operations. A total of 6,075 inspections were conducted, leading to 2,740 raids. During these operations, 3,767 food samples were collected for testing. Authorities seized 3,548 quintals of adulterated or suspicious materials, valued at approximately ₹4.97 crore, and destroyed 1,871 quintals of harmful items worth around ₹2.89 crore. In total, adulterated goods valued at roughly ₹8 crore were confiscated and destroyed.
Commissioner Jacob reported that Chief Minister Adityanath has issued clear directives to ensure the effective prevention of adulterated food sales, particularly during festivals. He emphasized that public health is paramount and any compromise will not be tolerated, with strict actions, including FIRs, being registered against offenders.
The department further clarified that individuals involved in organized adulteration will face stringent legal consequences under the FSS Act 2006 and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. In cases where organized adulteration networks are identified, authorities are recommending actions under the Gangster Act or the Arms Act to district magistrates.
To empower consumers and ensure accountability, all food business operators have been instructed to display a ‘Food Safety Sticker.’ This sticker will include essential details such as the establishment’s name, contact number, a departmental toll-free number, and a QR code for immediate complaint registration and feedback.